The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-07-14
TWO PALMS.

WITS. van DoE VenCer6 6Olf006 were
famous. They were always small, In
variably select, and pervaded with a
subtle charm, the result of the expert
ence, the rare good taste, of the host.
ess. Her salons were large. Her
trained sense OF artistic harmony had
arranged the drawing-room suite in.
to series OF delightful "interiors."
Artists found nothing to suggest in
the appointment OF these restful, ele-
CANT apartments.
The hostess was a woman OF brains,
widow, and forty.eight. She spent
her days In a mixture of noble and
frivolous undertakings, maintaining
golden poise somewhere between So
ciety and philanthropy, rendering ex-
cellent service to both: Uhrecognized
genius. aristocratic impecuniosity, un:
lowered beauty, found their way to
her presence and her kindness as easily
as fashion and fame:
On one midwinter night the soft
lights glowed through the length and
breadth of her house. Clad In some
stately silk, Mrs Van der Venter stood
at the salon door, while a liveried
footman announced the arriving
guests. Her cordial smile and warm
hand-shake welcome each one singly,
and presently the hum of CONVERSE
ton rose to q substantial measure.
All had arrived but one, Miss Lisette
De~ing, who was finally announced
by the footman. She entered hastily,
and was atfectionateiy greeted.
"Forgive me if l am late" she MUIR
INJURED.
"Only late enough to give addition
al point to your coming" smiled
back Mrs. Van der Venter.
AS Emusic" had been mentioned on
the cards, the guests soon composed
themselves in attitudes of attention.
Music at Mrs. Van der Venter:s
was always of kind to dispel
epnui. A noted violinist, celebrat-
ed vocalist, q great pianist, perform
ed in turn. Faint and WE'LL bred ap-
plause repaid each artist for the ef-
tort.
Then Mrs. Van der Venter stated
that che held a surprise in re-
serve in the person of Mr.. Sutherland,
the famous chiromancer. Moving to
the entrance hall, Mrs. Van der Ven
ter glided through the portiere. She
soon re ppeared with her hand on
the arm of a young blonde man who
looked quite harmless and benevolent,
which surprised those who had heard
OF his extraordinary, one might say
his occult, gifts. TO close observer
certain crafty lines at the corners of
the etes indicated habits of o serva-
ton and calculation that had become
second nature. He had in brief
time, through the Unsuitable desire of
human beings to hear about them
selves, risen to be at once social lion
and u mystic power.
For this reason, when Mrs. Van der
Venter introduced him to her friends,
each person prepared for the enticing
ordeal of q moral scanning. Hands
OF all shapes and sizes were barred.
The left escapes the marks OF rough
usage and change, so chiromanoy
| elects the left hand for study.
An eager crowd clustered quickly
about Mr.. Sutherland. One man only
q sarcastic smile curving his lips,
stood aloof. A tall, striking figure,
| with black hair tinged with gray.
Not height alonega him distinction,
but a certain naughty bearing, which
banished when he talked. He looked
/ skept:cal, and felt so. This character
reading from hands was very good
sport for a lot of girls, but he did not
dream OF joining the students of the
new lore.
His face darkened into g. scowl when
Lisette Dewing entered the group
about the sofa. His glances had
wandered constantly in her direction
during the evening, but he had not ap-
preached her. Her interest in him
was expressed apparently in one little
cold stiff bow.
A popular society girl, without
much intellect, was the first to pre-
sent her hand. Mr.. Sutherland took
it dainty, and cast q swift, keen
glance at her smiling, thoughtless face.
His remarks were evidently satisfac-
tory, in spite of the knowing smiles
which passed among the listeners.
When be had finished, she rose in q
flutter and joined the sarcastic OBJ
server on the hearth.
ooh, Mr.. Burlingame, it's positively
awful! He's so true! He told mo nv
faults In way that quite frightened
me-"
"What did he tell you, Miss Man.
ton?" queried Mr.. Burlingame.
"Oh, he said that l had @ very
sound nature. That would never
do anybody any harm, because
couldn't; and that's awiully true, you
know. And that l had never been in
love, and would make somebody some
day a very good wife, and that
would surly marry rich. And-oh,
yes! he tried very hard to trace it, he
did indeed, but he had to give it up.
and tell me that my head line seemed
to be scattered or dissipated, for it
vanished into nothing. Isn't that
wonderful"
The last remarks almost converted
Mr.. Burlingame. Dear Dolly Man.
toms head line had never appeared to
anybody.
l
points, he responded, anonymously.
"You must let him analyze you,"
Mr.. Burlingame. You are such rid
die to us girls, you know. You will,
won't your"
Mr.. Burlingame merely smiled, as a
burst of laughter rose from the crowd.
Mr.. Sutherland held thered, chubby
hand of a follower of Oscar Wilde,
Mr.. Barton. who painted pictures OF
an unwl,olesome kind. His work
showed talent perverted to bad uses.
His fingers were red and square, his
hand coarse and thick.
MIR. Barton, you possess In the ut
most degree the practical temporal
ment. You lack the ideal totally.
~ lack the IDEAL" muttered Bar
ton aghast.
my dear sir, only read your hand,
you understand. You have great mo-
chanical ability; you would make a
splendid engineer. This is coupled
with great ingenuity. You are exceed